Armor joint jack

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for positioning armor joints in highway bridge construction has a plurality of stands for suspending an armor joint at a proper grade, or height, above a bridge deck or floor. A clamp device engages an armor joint suspended from the stands and locates the joint on the line of the bridge. The locating clamp device includes a line-up bar having a frame member provided with an opening in a one end, a tube slidingly engaging and encircling the frame member and provided with a further opening, and a bar engaged in the further opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube. A hollow sleeve is mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end. The line-up bar moves a clamp head pivotally connected to a yoke which is in turn connected to an end of a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve.

[111 3,837,060 [451 Sept. 24, 1974 United States Patent [191 Stehling ARMOR JOINT JACK [76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant ExaminerNeil Abrams Norman P. Stehling, Box l8-A,

Attorney, Agertt 0r Firm clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson Mason Rt, Fredericksburg, Tex. 78624 [22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 302,497

bridge construction has a plurality of stands for sus- [52] US. Cl. 29/200 P, 14/77, 269/60, pending an armor joint at a proper grade, or height, 269/71 above a bridge deck or floor. A clamp device engages [51] Int.

, 269/152, 269/321 S EOld 19/02 B23q 3/18, an armor joint suspended from the stands and locates m H3 H7 45 11 2 ioo P5 3 O 7 91 27 m0 6 m6 m4 H m r 32 9., S9 AM h d2 .1 F l. 8 5 l engaging and encircling the frame member and provided with a further opening,

and a bar engaged in the References Cited UNITED STATES PA further opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube. A hollow sleeve is mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end. The line-up bar moves a clamp head pivotally connected to a yoke which is in turn connected to an end of a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve.

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13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 'PAIENIED I 3.837. 060

sum 1 0r 4 ARMOR JOINT JACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to apparatus for positioning articles, and particularly to apparatus for positioning armor joints in highway bridge construction.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the construction of highway bridges and the like,

it is frequently required to install structural members referred to as armorjoints. These armor joints are commonly iron angle beams or flat plates weighing 400 to 500 pounds, and may be arranged extending the entire width ofa bridge. Because armorjoints may have to be placed six or eight inches above a bridge deck or floor and between reinforcing steel already set in concrete, they present definite handling problems during positioning on the exact grade. or height, and line for the particular bridge. The conventional positioning methods are cumbersome and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a jack for exactly positioning, in reduced time, an armor joint on a particular grade line.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an armor joint jack which will level the upper surface of the armorjoint with respect to the load bearing surface of the bridge.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an armor joint jack which will hold an armor joint in position until it is secured in place.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing an apparatus which will arrange an article in a predetermined position in a first plane, and locate the article along a line in a second plane arranged at an angle to the first plane.

Preferably, the first plane is substantially perpendicular to a reference plane, and the article is suspended at a predetermined height above this reference plane.

The article or armor joint, is advantageously suspended by a plurality of stands. Each of these stands may have a rail which forms a bridge. legs provided with supporting bases and connected to end portions of the rail, and a bracket arrangement hanging from the rail for supporting the article. A threaded rod adjustably attached to the bracket may pass through a hole in the article and retain the article as by a nut. Flat articles which do not have sufficient thickness for such a hole may be suspended by employment of a suitable adapter.

Once the article is suspended, it may be located on the proper line by a device which positively engages the article and moves along a linear path. This device may have a pivotally mounted -clamp head provided with a recess and a screw cooperating with the recess to form wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing apparatus according to the present invention positioning an armor joint on a bridge deck and the like.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an armor joint suspending stand according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view. taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a modified armor joint retaining arrangement according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a device according to the present invention for locating a suspended armor joint on its proper line.

. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view showing the device of FIG. 6 arranged on a bridge deck and the like.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing another manner of mounting the device of FIG. 6 on a bridge deck or the like.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view showing a modified armor joint engaging arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 9, but showing still another modified armor joint engaging arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 of the drawings shows an angle-beam armor joint 10 arranged in a first plane as by being suspended from a stand 12. Although only one stand 12 is illustrated, it is to be understood that two or more stands 12 may be spaced along the longitudinal length of armor joint 10. The first plane is desirably perpendicular to a reference plane such as a bridge deck or floor l4, and armor joint 10 is suspended at a predetermined grade, or height above this reference plane. This bridge deck or floor 14 also serves as a support for stand 12. A device 16 for locating armor 'joint 10 in a second plane arranged at an angle to the first plane is anchored as to reinforcing rods 18 embedded in concrete and the like forming a portion of deck or floor 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawings, each stand 12 preferably includes a rail 20 having end portions and forming a bridge, and a pair of legs 22 provided with bases in the form of bars 24. The legs 22 are connected to end portions of rail 20 in any suitable, known manner. Armor joint 10 is adjustably suspended from rail 20 as by a bracket 26 arranged for hanging from rail 20. A sleeve 28 is pivotally mounted to bracket 26 as by a stud 29 and cooperating nuts. This sleeve 28 is provided with a screwthreaded hole 30 in which a rod 32 provided with screw threads 34 adjustably, threadingly engages. An end of rod 32 extending toward the bridge deck or floor I4 is selectively passable through an opening 36 in armor joint 10, and a handle nut 38threadingly engages screw threads 40 on the associated end of rod 32 for engaging and. retaining armor joint 10 in its suspended position.

Rod 32 is advantageously provided with handles 50 which permit rod 32 to be manually rotated until nut 38, is tight with nut 52. A crank 54 having an internally threaded portion 56 facilitates easy adjustment of rod 32 in sleeve 28, with resulting adjustment of armor joint 10, 48.

FIG. of the drawings shows an alternative embodiment wherein handle nut 38 is replaced by a nut 42 provided with a slot 44 and a cooperating screw 46 for receiving an armor joint 48 in the form of a flat plate.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, device 16 has a clamp head 58 for positively engaging an armor joint, 10, 48 and a line-up bar 60 for moving clamp head 58 into its proper line within the second plane. Bar 60 has a tube 62 which slidably engages and circles a frame member 64 having a threaded opening 66 in a one end member. A threaded bar 68 engages in threaded opening 66, and is rotatable as by a crank 70 for varying the relative positions of'frame member 64 and tube 62.

An anchor plate 72 may be provided for anchoring bar 60 to reinforcing rods 18. This anchor plate 72 has a raised-rib portion 73 which supports tube 62. A pair of J bolt clamps 74 are passed through slots 76 provided in anchor plate 72 and engage rods 18 to anchor the plate. A screw clamp 78 engages rod 79 arranged in raised-rib portion 73 for clamping tube 62 to plate 72 at any desired angle within a full 180 swing. T-

handles 80 and 82 are provided on clamps 74 and 78, respectively, for facilitating in manipulation of the clamps onto the pertinent rods.

A hollow sleeve 84 is mounted in a known manner to the end of frame member 64 opposite that end in which is provided threaded hole 66. A bar 86 is slidably arranged in the sleeve 84 and connected at its end parts to a yoke 88. Clamp head 58 is pivotally connected to yoke 88 in a suitable manner, such as by a pin 90. This clamp head 58 is provided with a recess 92 and a screw 94 cooperating with the recess 92 to form a clamp for engaging an armor joint. A threaded rod 96 provided with a crank 98 engages a nut 100 mounted in yoke 88 for selectively varying the position of clamp head 58 with respect to yoke 88 and orienting a planar portion of an armor joint parallel to the reference plane formed by bridge deck or floor 14.

FIG. 8 of the drawings shows tube 62 anchored directly to reinforcing rods 18 without the use of an anchor'plate 72. The use of an anchor plate 72 depends upon the arrangement of the reinforcing rods on a bridge deck or floor 14. When the row of reinforcing rods 18 runs essentially parallel to the armor joint, as shown in FIG. 1, an anchor plate 72 is employed. When the reinforcing rods run along a concrete beam (not shown) substantially transverse to the intended longitudinal direction of the armor joint, an anchoring arrangement such as shown in FIG. 8 is employed.

Referring now to FIG. 9 ofthe drawings, a clamp 102 is shown which engages the vertical leg of an anglebeam armor joint 10. This clamp head 102 is provided with a recess 104 and a cooperating screw 106 for clamping. against the armor joint leg. Otherwise, clamp head 102 functions identically to clamp head 58.

FIGS. and 11 of the drawings show yet another armor joint engaging arrangement according to the present invention. This arrangement employs an adaptor 108 provided with a recess 110 and a cooperating screw 112. This adaptor 108 has a handle portion which is retained in recess 92 of a clamp head 58. Employment of an adaptor 108 permits a device 16 to be used when positioning a flat-plate armor joint 48.

FIG. 12 of the drawings shows a T-handle wrench 114 suitable for use in manipulating screws 94, 106 and 112. Of course, other suitable, known wrenches could be used, if desired. However, a wrench 114 permits easy access to the various screws.

An armor joint 10, 48 can be easily positioned in highway bridge construction or the like by suspending the armor joint at a predetermined grade or height above a reference plane, such as bridge deck or floor 14, with an appropriate number of stands 12. Once the armor joint has been suspended at this predetermined height, a device 16 is anchored on a formed portion of the structure. In the case ofa bridge, this may be by reinforcing rods 18. Then the armorjoint may be located and held on the proper line of the bridge by turning crank 70. This line is generally a function of the banking of the bridge. Crank 98 can be used to properly orient the armor joint, which is now properly positioned. It may be that the line-locating movement will pass through a sufficient arc to vary the grade or height slightly, requiring further adjustment of the position of the armor joints with respect to stands 12. Once properly positioned, the armorjoint may be secured in place (not shown) as by welding to the reinforcing rods and' the like. Total installation time may be cut by more than 50 percent.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Apparatus for positioning an article, comprising, in combination:

a. means for arranging an article in a first plane; and

b. means for locating the article in a second plane arranged at an angle to the first plane, the locating means including means for positively engaging an article and means for moving the engaging means, the moving means comprising a line-up bar having a frame member provided with a threaded opening in a one end, a tube slidably engaging and encircling the frame member andprovided with a further threaded opening, a threaded bar engaged inthe further threaded opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube, a hollow sleeve mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end, a yoke, a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve and connected at end parts to the yoke, and the engaging means comprising a clamp head pivotally connected to the yoke and provided with a recess and a screw cooperating with the recess to form a clamp.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to a reference plane, and the arranging means suspends an article at a predetermined height above the reference plane.

3. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arranging means includes a stand comprising a rail having end portions and forming a bridge, legs provided with bases and connected to the rail at the end portions thereof, and means for adjustably suspending an article from the rail.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the suspending means includes a bracket arranged for hanging from the rail, a member provided with a screw threaded hole pivotally mounted on the bracket, a screw threaded rod adjustably, threadingly engaged in the screw threaded hole, and a nut threadingly engaging the rod and arranged for engaging and retaining an article.

5. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the locating means further includes means for orienting a planar portion of an article parallel to the reference plane.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the orienting means includes means for pivotally connecting the engaging means to the moving means, and means for selectively varying the position of the engaging means with respect to the moving means, the means for selectively varying being partially mounted on and extending between the clamp head and yoke.

7. Apparatus for positioning an article, comprising, in combination:

a. means for arranging an article in a first plane; and

b. means separate from the arranging means for locating the article in a second plane arranged at an angle to the first plane, the locating means including means for positively engaging an article and means for moving the engaging means, the moving means including a line-up bar having a frame member provided with a threaded opening in a one end, a tube slidably engaging and encircling the frame member and provided with a further opening, a bar engaged in the further opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube, a hollow sleeve mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end, a yoke, a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve and connected at end parts to the yoke, and the engaging means includes a clamp head pivotally connected to the yoke and provided with means cooperating with a recess for forming a clamp.

8. A structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the locating means further includes means for anchoring the moving means to a support.

9. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the anchoring means includes an anchor plate, a clamp arranged for connecting the anchor plate to appropriate structure, and a further clamp arranged for connecting the moving means to the anchor plate.

10. A structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the arranging means includes a stand comprising a rail having end portions and forming a bridge, legs provided with bases and connected to the rail at the end portions thereof, and means for adjustably suspending an article from the rail.

11. A structure as defined in claim 10, wherein the suspending means includes a bracket arranged for hanging from the rail, a member provided with a screw threaded hole and pivotally mounted on the bracket, a screw threaded rod adjustably, threadingly engaged in the hole, and a nut threadingly engaging the rod and arranged for engaging and retaining an article.

12. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the locating means further includes means for anchoring the moving means to a support.

13. A structure as defined in claim 12, wherein the anchoring means includes an anchor plate, a clamp arranged for connecting the anchor plate to appropriate structure, and a further clamp arranged for connecting the moving means to the anchor plate. 

1. Apparatus for positioning an article, comprising, in combination: a. means for arranging an article in a first plane; and b. means for locating the article in a second plane arranged at an angle to the first plane, the locating means including means for positively engaging an article and means for moving the engaging means, the moving means comprising a line-up bar having a frame member provided with a threaded opening in a one end, a tube slidably engaging and encircling the frame member and provided with a further threaded opening, a threaded bar engaged in the further threaded opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube, a hollow sleeve mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end, a yoke, a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve and connected at end parts to the yoke, and the engaging means comprising a clamp head pivotally connected to the yoke and provided with a recess and a screw cooperating with the recess to form a clamp.
 2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to a reference plane, and the arranging means suspends an article at a predetermined height above the reference plane.
 3. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arranging means includes a stand comprising a rail having end portions and forming a bridge, legs provided with bases and connected to the rail at the end portions thereof, and means for adjustably suspending an article from the rail.
 4. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the suspending means includes a bracket arranged for hanging from the rail, a member provided with a screw threaded hole pivotally mounted on the bracket, a screw threaded rod adjustably, threadingly engaged in the screw threaded hole, and a nut threadingly engaging the rod and arranged for engaging and retaining an article.
 5. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the locating means further includes means for orienting a planar portion of an article parallel to the reference plane.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the orienting means includes means for pivotally connecting the engaging means to the moving means, and means for selectively varying the position of the engaging means with respect to the moving means, the means for selectively varying being partially mounted on and extending between the clamp head and yoke.
 7. Apparatus for positioning an article, comprising, in combination: a. means for arranging an article in a first plane; and b. means separate from the arranging means for locating the article in a second plane arrangeD at an angle to the first plane, the locating means including means for positively engaging an article and means for moving the engaging means, the moving means including a line-up bar having a frame member provided with a threaded opening in a one end, a tube slidably engaging and encircling the frame member and provided with a further opening, a bar engaged in the further opening for varying the relative positions of the frame member and tube, a hollow sleeve mounted to an end of the frame member spaced from the one end, a yoke, a bar slidably arranged in the sleeve and connected at end parts to the yoke, and the engaging means includes a clamp head pivotally connected to the yoke and provided with means cooperating with a recess for forming a clamp.
 8. A structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the locating means further includes means for anchoring the moving means to a support.
 9. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the anchoring means includes an anchor plate, a clamp arranged for connecting the anchor plate to appropriate structure, and a further clamp arranged for connecting the moving means to the anchor plate.
 10. A structure as defined in claim 7, wherein the arranging means includes a stand comprising a rail having end portions and forming a bridge, legs provided with bases and connected to the rail at the end portions thereof, and means for adjustably suspending an article from the rail.
 11. A structure as defined in claim 10, wherein the suspending means includes a bracket arranged for hanging from the rail, a member provided with a screw threaded hole and pivotally mounted on the bracket, a screw threaded rod adjustably, threadingly engaged in the hole, and a nut threadingly engaging the rod and arranged for engaging and retaining an article.
 12. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the locating means further includes means for anchoring the moving means to a support.
 13. A structure as defined in claim 12, wherein the anchoring means includes an anchor plate, a clamp arranged for connecting the anchor plate to appropriate structure, and a further clamp arranged for connecting the moving means to the anchor plate. 